ASIA/INDIA - Missionary Congress in Gujarat, October 31-November 1, 2008

Gandhinagar (Agenzia Fides) - The Indian state of Gujarat (northwest India) is the homeland of Mahatma Gandhi and can once more become an exemplary place of dialogue, pluralism, and tolerance: with this purpose, the Bishops from the four dioceses of Gujarat have decided to hold a Missionary Congress in Gujarat, October 31-November 1, 2008 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, in the city of Nadiad (in the Diocese of Ahmedabad). The four dioceses of the state (Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot) will join efforts and resources in sponsoring the Congress, which will be entitled, “Celebrate Jesus in Gujarat,” with the central theme: “Walking in Christ’s Footsteps.”
Thinking of the faithful in the four dioceses, the Bishops have decided to organize a Congress with nearly 600 delegates - 250 from the Diocese of Ahmedabad, 150 from Gandhinagar, 100 from Baroda and Rajkot.
The event will follow the same line as the Asian Missionary Congress, celebrated in Thailand in 2006, also in anticipation of a Indian Missionary Congress, that is being organized by the Indian Bishops’ Conference and the date is soon to be decided.
For the Catholics of Gujarat, the Congress will also be an opportunity for testimony and faith, in light of the difficulties faced by Christians living in that area. The state of Gujarat continues to be a site of violent attacks on Christians and other minority religious groups, coming from the fundamentalist Hindu factions. In Gujarat, the Christian community forms .42% of the 50.5 million inhabitants and the Catholics number a total of 150,000. The Church in the state, in spite of the difficult situation, has always worked for peace and reconciliation. The Committee for Interreligious Dialogue has recently launched “Harmony Forums,” with the aim of bringing back harmony to society and promoting favorable relations among all religious communities. The forums are comprised of small permanent assemblies that examine the problems affecting the relationship among the religious communities, organize encounters, plan spiritual and cultural initiatives, carry out plans of action for ending conflicts, strengthen dialogue, and work for peace in society. The forums’ members include committed religious leaders from diverse communities, representatives of civil society, youth, students, and families. The idea arose from the fact that there is a strong presence in the area of what is called “communitarism,” i.e., the rigid distinction made between different ethnic and religious backgrounds, heavily marked by a strong ideological tendency that often degenerates into violence. The “Harmony Forums,” active in towns, cities, districts, and dioceses, carry out both short-term and long-term initiatives, forming a network together with other religious and social organizations. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/4/2008; righe 36, parole 428)